Danish minister expects Greenland solution despite Trump's remarks

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described the NATO summit in Ankara as "good," emphasizing a consensus that the alliance is "stronger than ever." He sought to temper the public disagreements with former U.S. President Donald Trump concerning defense expenditures and the status of Greenland.

“

Since Eisenhower, American presidents have pointed out that there was an imbalance between what the USA and Europe pay for defense.

Rasmussen acknowledged that U.S. presidents, dating back to Eisenhower, have pointed out an imbalance in defense spending between the U.S. and Europe. He suggested that this issue has seen progress, attributing it to a combination of Trump's unconventional approach and the war in Ukraine. The minister urged observers to look beyond the "noise" of public statements and focus on the summit's outcomes, noting that internal discussions revealed a U.S. recognition of Europe's growing commitment to bearing a larger share of the defense burden.

“

All of that has moved. It is a combination of Trump and his unconventional approach and then the war in Ukraine.

Regarding the dispute over Greenland, Rasmussen expressed optimism that a working group involving Denmark, Greenland, and the U.S. would find solutions addressing America's legitimate security interests. He acknowledged Trump's recent remarks about Greenland but characterized them as a long-standing position rather than a new development. Rasmussen stated that while Trump might wish for Greenland to become American, Greenland itself does not desire this, and the existing agreement for the working group to find solutions remains in place.

“

What was said inside the room was something else. It was a USA that acknowledges that Europe is delivering on taking a larger share of the bill.

Løkke Rasmussen also suggested that the significance of Trump's comments on Greenland is amplified within Danish media, even though the topic has been raised by international journalists. He clarified that Trump's assertion that the Greenland issue has harmed his relationship with NATO was his interpretation, and that Trump has held this view for many years. Trump had previously stated that Greenland's lack of assistance to Denmark and Denmark's own spending priorities were detrimental to his relationship with NATO, while acknowledging Greenland's importance to the U.S.

“

I have noted the president's statements about Greenland. It confirms what we have known all along, namely that if Trump decided everything, then Greenland would be American tomorrow.